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Asean, Australia to make it easier for businesses to conduct cross-border digital trade

The countries will work together on a new Digital Standards Cooperation Initiative which will facilitate trade, cut costs

Sydney

PROTECTIONISM is a "dead end", Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday, as he and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a strong push for countries to continue working together on free trade.

Speaking at an Asean-Australia business summit, Mr Turnbull said Australia will continue to work with its closest neighbours in the region on trade liberalisation.

"You dont grow stronger by closing the door to other markets. Protectionism is a dead end. It is not a ladder to get you out of the low-growth trap. It's a shovel to dig it much deeper," he said.

"We must face the world, not turn from it. Embrace free trade, not retreat from it, and do so on the basis of strong and...

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